Neurointerventional medicine is an exciting approach in treating strokes, aneurysms, and neurovascular diseases of the brain and spine. Using catheters and technology, Interventional Neurologist, Dr. Ali Malek, at St. Mary's Neuroscience Center, is able to perform these minimally invasive and potentially life-saving options. Interventional Neurology is a newly established subspecialty of Neurology for minimally-invasive treatment of diseases of arteries and veins of brain and spine.

GE Innova 3131 - Bi-plane Special Procedures Room

Standard treatment of acute ischemic stroke includes the use of IV tPA (intravenous tissue plasminogen activator), but it must be given within three hours of stroke onset and only after ruling out hemorrhagic stroke. Until recent years, there was no hope for those patients presented outside the three hour window. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in America and the #1 cause of adult disability. When the 3-hour treatment window has expired Dr. Ali Malek, Medical Director of Interventional Neurology program at St. Mary’s Medical Center, uses the most advanced technology to identify qualified patients whose strokes can be reversed. If a patient qualifies, Dr. Ali Malekuses the latest in Neurointerventional equipment to do minimally-invasive surgery to guide a microscopic catheter into the patient’s groin and track it up safely into the brain arteries and remove the blood clot. Neurointerventional procedures are performed under the guidance of advanced X-ray monitors. Recent advances in imaging enables the highly-trained physician to treat blocked arteries of the brain by removing, breaking-up, or even sucking out the blood clot. St. Mary's Medical Center

has invested $3.1 million dollars in the latest Neurointerventional equipment and devices. With the assitance of this equipment Dr. Ali Malek helps saves the lives of patients and allows them to return to a normal life in some cases before the stroke has disabled them.

Dr. Ali R. Malek

Dr. Ali Malekis only one of a handful of Interventional Neurologist nationwide. Under his direction of the Department of Interventional Neurology, patients here in South Florida have access to the latest available treatments in stroke care at St. Mary's Medical Center.